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The American Museum of Magic (www.americanmuseumofmagic.org ) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 museum of the history of magic located in two historic buildings in the heart of Marshall, Michigan’s National Register of Historic Places District. Marshall is located in Calhoun County, between Battle Creek and Jackson along the I-94 corridor of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The Museum exists to “inspire and delight the public with the wonder of magic, and documents and celebrates the contributions and resilience of the magician.” Its vision is to be a premier Michigan attraction built on unparalleled collections and innovative visitor-centered experiences, employing the highest standards of scholarship and stewardship.

The Museum has transitioned from a private collection to a non-profit museum with the passing of its founders, Bob and Elaine Lund, in 1995 and 2006, respectively. A thirteen member Board of Trustees, drawn from around the region and carefully recruited from a variety of professional backgrounds, has charted a new course for the museum that will guide its development into a prominent institution that preserves the memories and traditions of both small town and world-renowned performers, highlighting their contributions to popular culture. An impressive collection of artifacts, illusions, documents, books and memorabilia interprets four centuries of magic and magicians from throughout the world. It is the largest privately owned museum of its kind open to the public, and has been referred to as the “Smithsonian of American Magic.”

The Board of Trustees of the American Museum of Magic is seeking a Director who will inaugurate a new strategic plan and who will be responsible for the managing the daily operations of the museum. The Director will report directly to the Board via its Chair, working closely together to advance the museum’s mission, values, and strategic goals.

Job Title: Director
Education: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) and advanced degree preferred in Museum Studies or a discipline related to the museum’s mission and collections.

Experience, skills, and knowledge:
Organizational and administrative ability. Ability to initiate programs, train and motivate people, coordinate activities, speak publicly, and deal effectively with the public, private groups, and community organizations. Considerable knowledge of and/or interest in the museum’s general subject matter, such as American cultural history, leisure studies and the history of entertainment. Should understand and demonstrate prior success in museum development and be able to communicate that understanding to the Board and others outside the museum field. Minimum of five years of experience in museum work. Previous managerial or supervisory experience preferred. Ability to lift, move and store collections and exhibition furniture. Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of computer-based software functions, including collections cataloging and inventory.

Job Description:
All aspects of small museum administration and operation including, but not limited to:

1. Oversight of day-to-day museum operations, and establishment and maintenance of a regular schedule of open hours for public visitation.

2. Responsible for recruiting, orientation, training, work assignments, motivation, and evaluation of other staff and volunteers.

3. Responsible for implementing the museum’s strategic plan with the assistance of board members, including development of action plans and budgets

4. Establish and maintain appropriate records, forms, procedures, systems of communication and practices relating to collections, personnel, purchasing and general administration.

5. Responsible for building security, insurance, risk management, visitor safety, and the maintenance of facilities, supplies and equipment.

6. Develop and carry out all ongoing activities and special programs of the museum with budgets and policies authorized by the Board.

7. Work closely with the Board in fundraising for the museum including evaluation of potential funding sources and writing of grants.

8. Attend all meetings of the Board and its committees, maintain liaison with them, and provide financial and other reports as requested by the Board.

9. Represent the museum within its various communities, and undertake public relations and marketing.

10. Coordinate group and school visitation, public educational programs, off site programming and special events

11. Oversee exhibition and care of the museum’s collections, following models of best practice for the optimal care, conservation and security of museum artifacts and archival holdings. Undertakes/directs registration, inventory, cataloging and research of museum collections.

Compensation: Competitive salaried position with benefits, including flexible health care allowance, sick leave, vacation time, and opportunities for professional development.

Application: If the qualifications can be met, a substantive letter of interest accompanied by a current resume and three references with complete contact information should be sent via e-mail, U.S. Mail or FedEx no later than Monday, September 28, 2009 to:

Dr. Bradley L. Taylor, Associate Director
Charles H. Sawyer Center for Museum Studies
University of Michigan Museum of Art
525 South State St.
Ann Arbor , MI 48109-1354
bltaylor@umich.edu

Questions may be made in writing to Timothy J. Chester at timothychester@comcast.net .